LG MWC2014

LG Knock Code demo - is it better than the fingerprint scanners?

posted by Nanko R.

Feb 25, 2014, 2:10 PM

LG Knock Code demo - is it better than the fingerprint scanners?

LG recently said that its Knock Code security lock for phones is better and more secure than the fingerprint scanner of the iPhone 5s. Here at the MWC 2014, we had a chance to test it out. We would say that the Knock Code is not better and is not more secure than the fingerprint protection. LG can tout it as better than the typical pin code / gesture unlock that most phones offer, as you don't have to turn on the display using the power/lock key before that. Yet, it is no way as secure as the fingerprint sensor, as anybody can see how you knock and then just repeat it. What would you say, do you want to have such feature?

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28 Comments

28. jonquilm

Posts: 1; Member since: Feb 02, 2016

I've used both. I've used it on the S5, S6, and now on a K6, and I must say that knock code is superior from a user perspective and an IT perspective. This is why... the fingerprint sensor first of all isn't nearly as accurate as everyone wants to think it is (all biometrics are like this; it's an inherent pitfall of the technology's needed logic itself). It also was annoyingly inaccurate, so it was not unusual to have to swipe my fingerprint several times to get my phone to unlock. With knock codes you have accuracy every time as long as you tap the glass firmly enough, and you get to skip the step of turning on your screen as well with them. Also, when used precisely and close together, it's not very hard to obscure the exact code from nosy folks. The sensor is sensitive enough that you don't have to make any noise doing it, and you can quickly tap out your code in a tight and fast enough pattern that others can't see what you're doing either. Finally, the knock code sensor is a lot more affordable than a fingerprint scanner is, making it a form of security anyone can afford to have on their handset. And as someone else pointed out, you can change your knock code if it becomes compromised. You can't change your fingerprint really (unless you want to count individual fingers, then you can change it up to 9 times only, lol). Until biometrics (something you are method of security) became more accurate in scanning somehow and especially in detecting fakes, I'm going to stick to the something you know method as the superior method of security when comparing (though honestly multi-auth has been the way to go for ages now so the point is moot overall....).

posted on Feb 02, 2016, 10:38 AM 0

23. technitude

Posts: 263; Member since: Dec 19, 2013

As far as being more secure than a fingerprint scanner, it's all perspective. If your phone is in the hands of a criminal (which is the primary reason for security concerns), then your fingerprint is stored on a chip that would be in their possession. Once that finger is compromised, you'd have to switch fingers on your next device, to remain secure. What'd be worse, would be if somehow there was access to fingerprint info from an app. Once that happens, there's no stopping the info from being available to the entire criminal community. And with the phone still in your pocket, you'd never know that your Bio-ID had been stolen.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 3:21 PM 0

22. Killua

Posts: 270; Member since: Nov 25, 2013

Not sure why they called it more secure. Weird.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 3:19 PM 0

15. thegodfather

Posts: 23; Member since: Nov 27, 2013

yea it might not be more secure but at least the gov wont be able to have a data base of your fingerprints. And I haven't heard anyone mention this anyway about the gov being able to have eveyones prints one file. just a question

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:35 PM 0

17. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Touch ID nor the new fingerprint scanners send your fingerprints to the government or NSA so you can sleep well at night now.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:39 PM 1

20. Ashoaib

Posts: 3309; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

Gov already have a database of your finger print, you are living in past when there were no identity cards... just be worried if you are not US citizen bcoz then your finger print will end up in NSA's hand...

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 3:06 PM 1

12. GeekMovement unregistered

haha starting @ 1:35 xD I agree it's more of a gimmick plus you'd have to wipe your fingerprints off the screen after you use it so that it's not obvious what the general shape of your knock code is.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:34 PM 1

8. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Better? I wouldn't say so, but it's like more secure Knock On (or whatever it is) feature, which is ok itself. More secure? Hell no. Everybody has unique fingerprint, and this is just pattern. I could open that LG without problem.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:22 PM 1

11. KillgoreTroutTime

Posts: 433; Member since: Jan 06, 2014

That won't be the case when the screens are sapphire crystal and that is coming soon.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:32 PM 0

3. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Ray, there's a new accent in town!

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:14 PM 2

6. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2282; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

He's not new, he's been here before Ray existed!

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:18 PM 0

16. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

You learn something new each day haha. My question is where has he been all this time?

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:36 PM 1

18. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2282; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Found out something new: Mr Rusev is Ray's fellow countrymen, so no new accents here! I'm thinking he didn't like the comments on PA.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:50 PM 0

21. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I wouldn't blame him. PA died in early 2013 with the ambush of users who flood the comment sections...

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 3:11 PM 2

24. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2282; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Indeed.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 3:36 PM 0

26. Gatorsrule52

Posts: 103; Member since: Mar 18, 2013

That's the point of comment sections isn't it? To comment?

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 5:16 PM 2

2. NoFanboy

Posts: 300; Member since: Nov 18, 2013

Gimmick

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:13 PM 14

4. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Couldn't agree more.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:14 PM 6

7. LiyanaBG

Posts: 381; Member since: Nov 07, 2013

you both samsung paid trolls LOL

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:21 PM 12

9. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

What does Samsung have together with this? Tell us, other-brand-than-Samsung paid troll. Btw, this is a gimmick.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:25 PM 4

14. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Waste of bandwidth. Please go outside and come back when you're ready to discuss something relevant to the article. Thanks.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:34 PM 3

10. KillgoreTroutTime

Posts: 433; Member since: Jan 06, 2014

This will be good in a year or so. It has to work 100% of the time for it the be useful. I have a G2 and I turned the knock feature off because it would only work 80% of the time. Id rather hit the button which I know will work 100% of the time.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:30 PM 1

13. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

All of these "secure unlock" methods are literally gimmicks. Once again, one retard company releases a gimmicky feature and everyone else wastes their time trumping it or copying it instead of making something useful.

posted on Feb 25, 2014, 2:34 PM 2

19. Ashoaib

Posts: 3309; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

it doest work all the time... sometime you have to try twice, this is what I had seen with my G2 owner friend... boredom to try twice, and at the end I learned the pattern, he ended up having his phone insecure in my hands... by the way he got rid of g2 and now he is an extremely happy owner of note 3.... "if anyone want to say I am a Sam boy, yes I am..."